The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-28
SOUTH GAsToN N. c.,
January 7th. 1887.

January 7th. 1887.
Editor DEMOCRAT: of al. the
systems Of education with US. the
common school for all the children,
supported by public taxation, is far
the most important to the State.
when judiciously administered.
Of course both elementary and
higher schools should be kept as
near the people, in their local. ca
pacity, as is consistent with useful
and judicious administration. Even
State coatrsl should, l think, be
confined to things that are general
and useful, and national aid, if in
vited at all, only at the NEST critical
points for the sole purpose of stimu-
lating local effort, without any as
sumption of national supervision or
control. Of course popular educ
alton as thus defined, has its general
function in the elementary training
Of mind. discipline of character, and
lmparting necessary information.
which every one of ordinary COM
prehension, we'll admit are as. es>
sentlallY necessary and due to the
humblest citizen, as well as to the
renowned statesman
Of the whole number of children
ct tie STATE, enrolled in the public
and private schools to-day, it is
safe to say that nine tenths will turn
their backs upon the school house
by the time they are sixteen years
of age. Our parament concern in
eur system, should be, to do the
best thing possible for this mass of
children, whose average schoo, life
is not with US more than four years.
In higher education is invited the
cooperation Of every effective educ
ationaI appliance.
In tlls field there is no excuse for
idleness. but an ample field for the
display of Individual genius, copper
ate enterprise of home and neiehuor-
hood forts.
1t will. imagine be admitted by
all liberal and patriotic thinkers,
that there is necessarily no conflict
of interests between these different
methods necessary in achieving the
grand result. for any private and
public school with US must finally
adjust itself to the conditions of our
society.
1t indeed wonld be a calamity if,
in the face of the invading host Of
illiteracy now advancing in solid
phalanx to capture our institutions,
the champions Of the various de-
partments of school life of any por-
ton of our state should permit them
selves to be drawn into side issue
that shall for a moment divert
the attention of the people from the
great question, that towers immeas.
urably above all others, whe ther of
church or State.
l propose to give my idea how,
under the present status of things
the people of the State may fairly
and firmly place on solid basis their
educational system for [ contend il
the people of this State, with all the
help that Providence may vonchsafe
can establish their final educational
system upon a true basis, which
shall be developed as the years pass
by, 1t will have accomplished one Of
the grandest works for this people
vet known to Christendom. In thi,
matter 1 do not assume to appear a!
an outside architect, fourishing al
ideal plan Of my own, or Insisting
upon any excellence Of plan of m,
own origisation.
I wish to speak of nothing but wha
has already been experimental o
and found successful. Certainl
under average conditions, what ha
been accomplished by some, can sti
be accomplished by others.
So my purpose will be an homes
effort to voice the achievements
successful educators. comparin
notes and cheering each other on,
reanfing the mighty structure ne
the result. Of their noble efforts. III
first. absolutely indispensable pr
reaussite to our success, IN In
great work of educating the masse
coneists in a general awakening
the people Of all classes, to the q
polling dangers of the iliiteracy r
vealed though half concealed oy u
last census.
Uatil the whole people Of u
State. understand and race IN